Breaking: Cavs to Sign Larry Sanders
2017-03-13Larry Sanders has agreed on a deal to make NBA return with the Cavaliers, w/ likely 2017-18 option date, league sources tell @TheVertical.
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) March 13, 2017
The search for a big man continues. As reported by Shams Charania, of Yahoo.com’s The Vertical, the Cavs have signed Larry Sanders to a two year deal, with a team option for the second year, pending the results of a physical this morning. Cleveland is expected to waive Andrew Bogut who broke his leg 58 seconds into his Cavalier career. The salary is for the league minimum. Sanders is 28 years old with career averages of 6.5 ppg, 5.8 rpg, and 1.8 bpg. His best year was in 2012-2013 when he averaged 9.8, 9.5, and 2.8 blocks.
Sanders was suspended for failing multiple drug tests in 2014, and again in 2015 for failure to comply with the league’s Anti-Drug Program.
[Sanders] left the Bucks just before Christmas for what Milwaukee head coach Jason Kidd termed “personal reasons” — was no longer interested in playing professional basketball. The 26-year-old Sanders, who is in the first season of the four-year, $44 million contract extension he signed with the Bucks in August 2013.
Sanders commented at that time that he was a big proponent of medical marijuana. It remains to be seen if he continues to share the same opinions.
Larry has also battled eye injuries during his career, and now wears protective goggles during his time on the floor.
In Feb. of 2015, Sanders released a video explaining why he walked away from the NBA, citing depression, anxiety, varied interests, and the desire to spend more time with his family. CBS Sports’ James Herbert summarized Sanders’ long, strange journey.
He acknowledged that he never planned on playing in the NBA. Sanders changed schools in 10th grade wanting to be an animator or computer designer, per Sports Illustrated, and he scored on the wrong basket in his first junior varsity game. Everything about Sanders’ path, from playing for Virginia Commonwealth University to being drafted to signing a four-year, $44 million contract, has been unexpected.
When Sanders had to sit out for much of the 2013-2014 season because of injuries and the initial suspension, he spent his time on writing, painting, reading, music. He has a novel in the works. He was a skateboarder before he was a basketball player, and he has lots of custom-designed boards. Basketball is an important thing to him, but it’s not the only thing.
For more opinion on Sanders, check out the forthcoming podcap. It should be fun to see how this turns out. Good luck, Larry.
If Larry Sanders can get in touch with his inner Larry Sanders, things will alright.
Just when I thought Tristan was going to get some rest they report Sanders is heading to the D-league. Go figure.
Love is close to returning, I’d say. 2 weeks (6 games).
I hope you are right and at the same time I hope they don’t rush him back.
Yeah. I just think the Cavs & Sanders’ camp think he isn’t ready to play yet. It really is not fair to expect him to be. Sucks on the rest front for TT.
One downside of medical pot is not bothering to duck your head when people are poking at your face.
If Sanders can be 60% of what he was, he’s better than Birdman. If he’s 90% of what he was, he’s better than Bogut. He’s got a month to get himself primed for the postseason. If he can give 10 good minutes a night, its a win.
http://www.espn.com/video/clip?id=18898590
That team option is huge for next season. If he works out, the Cavs are a lock to have the following guys under contracts: James, Ky, Love, TT, JR; Shump, Frye, RJ (all under contract) + Sanders, Liggins, Felder (under team control/option partially guaranteed) + Korver (Bird rights). That’s 12. Only the D-Wills + JFJ are FAs. I’ll wager we can land at least 1 D-Will with the MLE. Osman is also coming. While we likely can’t make a large move, the roster is in good shape for next year.
I’m not expecting it, but how nice would it be if the L8Show turned out to be exactly what the Cavs needed in this injury filled campaign?
Yep. Low expectations & high hopes on this one. On FTS they have a couple clips of Sanders in the comments thread. One is a block. The other is a rebound coast to coast slam featuring dribbles with both hands.
I have Andrew Bynum expectations and Serge Obaka hopes.
SANDERS! (?)
Good signing. Hoping he becomes a big part of the team.
No idea what to expect from this guy but hoping for the best.
O K ” BREAKING MY LENTEN ” PENNACE ( DON’T TELL THE MRS NOMAD –ALSO HI TO ALL YOU CTB’ERS –MISS YOU )— A BIG WELCOME TO LARRY ” GOGGLES ” SANDERS —WE ” HAVE YOUR BACK HERE “/ SUPPORT YOU —O.K BACK TO MY ” LENTEN PURGATORY “—SEE YOU ALL EASTER SUNDAY—-HOLD THE FORT DOWN UNTIL THEN !!!!
NOMAD! You’ve been heartily missed around here. Shame for breaking your penance! haha I won’t tell.
I hope MRS. NOMAD isn’t reading the site today ;)
We miss you round here NOMAD!
Excited for this signing. Seems that Cavs are likely to give him support on and off the court and have shown some level of commitment from both sides with Larry accepting the team option from Cleveland.
Hopefully LeBron’s tendency to always want everyone to be together will help him feel comfortable in his return.